Rutherford Birchard Hayes (October 4, 1822 - January 17, 1893) was the 19th president of the United States, serving from 1877 to 1881. Hayes, a staunch abolitionist, left a fledgling political career to join the Union army as an officer. He was wounded five times, earning a reputation for bravery in combat, and rising in the ranks to serve as brevet major general. After the war, he served in Congress from 1865 to 1867 and was elected governor of Ohio, serving two consecutive terms from 1868 to 1872 and half of a third two-year term from 1876 to 1877 before his swearing-in as president. The following is a reading of President Grant's inaugural address delivered on March 05, 1877.